Judge Rules in Favor of County as it Denies Petition for Writ of Certirari regarding Beach Access #4....

As many of us expected, the courts have now ruled in favor of the County and the County's Board of Adjustment when it denied a petition by nearby residents opposed to the BOA's granting of a conditional use permit for the development of a public beach access point (Beach Access #4) in District 1 at Perdido Key.

The order was handed down yesterday.

Many neighbors were opposed to any public access at this location from the get go once the county began to move in the direction of opening this access.

Why wouldn't they?  These residents enjoyed a comfortable status quo whereby "they" got to enjoy this pristine, 300' of Gulf Front beach in Perdido Key while the county's citizens (the OWNERS of this property) were kept out via menacing "NO TRESPASSING" signs and locked gates and locked pedestrian walk overs.  You (taxpers) owned it, but You (taxpayers) could not use it for nearly 10 years--while nearby property owners did get to use it.

Even though the rationale for the county's acquisition of this property was always for habitat conservation AND Public Beach Access---some nearby owners attempted, via litigation, to blow that up--- questioning the legality of the BOA's process in issuing a conditional use permit.

That argument fell apart as the judge gutted it piece by piece in her below order.

The matter is now settled and the PEOPLE won.  More access, less restriction, a win for every non-beachfront property owner in the county and in District 1.  Read the succinct 7- page order, below.

Beach Access #4 at Perdido Key: Ribbon Cutting ONE Month Away!

The current view from Escambia County's soon to be completed and openend Gulf-Front, free  Public Beach Access point in District 1 at Perdido Key

Escambia County, west Escambia County, and District 1's newest public Gulf-Front beach access point (300 FT on the Gulf) is nearing completion.  Beach Access #4 has been a long time coming--nearly 8 years--but it is almost completed.  Better late than never!.  Photos from the site from this week  (below) show the parking lot completed, with asphalt and striping,  split rail fencing installed, and the driveway complete.  Native grasses have been replanted in areas around the parking, and the only remaining items are the unrolling of the Mobi-mat (which will give access to the beach to those who are in wheelchairs) and some signage about the ecology of the area with educational placards about native/protected species.  According to the Natural Resources Management staff: 

"We expect the access mat to be installed in the next 2-3 weeks. I will have an updated timeline from engineering tomorrow. We can start to plan a grand opening for mid-late Feb...We will still be waiting on the wash-station, ada components to the educational signage and a couple other odds and ends."

What is the Current Status of the Opening of Beach Access #4 at Perdido Key?

I had the opportunity recently to drive through areas of the new District 1 over the weekend, including Innerarity Point and Perdido Key,  and one of the things that stood out to me was just how close we are to completing Beach Access #4.  Significant progress is being made at this, Escambia County and District 1's newest public Gulf-Front access point on Perdido Key.  

Work has been ongoing to level the surface and pour the concrete for the entry and the parking surfaces, which has now been substantially completed and is currently in the process of curing.  Additionally, a large portion of the fomer slab is being returned to nature with the addition of sand and native plants.

According to staff with whom I have spoken recently---this has been the biggest part of the job.  Once cured fully, crews will line the spots, add curbs and the walkover along with signage and split rail fencing.

"We should be functionally open by March 1st" was what I was told.

I can't wait, nor can many others who have been waiting for this for going on 8 years.  It has taken far too long for many reasons--but we are almost at the finish line.

I intend to have a ribbon cutting ceremony once we officially open this access point and it will be a great additional amenity for all of the west side of Escambia County and for District 1 and District 2 citizens!

USFWS Approves Escambia's Conservation Management Plan for Beach Access #4--Letter Received Today!

Staff provided the two page letter (above) and the complete 40 page approval package from The United States Fish and Wildlife Service for Escambia County's Habitat Conservation plan at Beach Access #4.  The salient two-pages of approval are above, and/or you can read the entire package here for lots of additional historical information on this project.

The important thing to note is that the USFWS concurs with Escambia in that this development of this parcel is consistent with the original grant application as well as the modification from 2013 for the addition of the public access component.  This is vital as it dispells lots of rumors, innuendo, and misinformation from those in opposition to this project for selfish and emotional--not logical or rational--reasons.

Next step is we will fund the cost delta needed to finish the construction and #OpenOurBeach, bring in two contractors, and finish this long-overdue project that will protect habitat for endangered species while simultaneously providing desperately needed free public beach access and parking on Perdido Key.

37 Parking Spots in Latest Revised Conceptual Plan for Perdido Key Public Beach Access #4

The latest conceptual plan for our next public beach access in Perdido Key is shown above.  Highlights include ADA accessibility, Fire/EMS/Lifeguard accessibility, 37 parking spots, and 300' of Gulf Front Beach for the Public to enjoy!

The latest conceptual drawing for our newest public beach access point for Escambia citizens has been created and submitted to the natural resources department.  It contains 37 parking spaces and will provide access to first responders in the event that water rescues are needed.  The site  will also be developed in an environmentally friendly manner, allowing us to be good custodians of the resource, providing necessary habitat for several endangered species.

After speaking with staff about this project, it appears as if the month of November will be consumed with taking this plan through the county's Development Review Committee Process.  After that, according to staff, a development order could be issued sometime in mid to late December.  According to staff:

"The following are the key steps to initiate the project:

• Completion of approval process through Escambia County Development Review Committee
• Completion of permitting through Florida Department of Environmental Protection (CCCL permit)
• Completion of permitting through Florida Department of Transportation (Driveway permit)
• Receive probable cost to construct from the Engineer of Record
• Board of County Commissioners to provide a funding source for construction
• Resolution of any legal challenges
• Bid for construction
• Actual construction"